What makes a kitchen bar unforgettable? A grand scale? Sleek materials? Eye-catching bar stools? Yes, yes, and yes! But don’t think that more subtle statements can’t be equally memorable. Whether you have a penthouse kitchen or a small kitchen nook where you prepare food in your studio apartment, there are ways to incorporate bar style into your setup!

Today we spotlight 12 unforgettable kitchen bars, and we take a look at what makes them truly stylish. Pay special attention to the lines and forms of each selection, as well as the special touches that accessorize the space. For example, pendant lighting can do wonders when hanging over a kitchen bar! And don’t forget about selecting fabulous bar stools!

Wooden Kitchen Bars

We begin with wooden bars, a popular choice given the warmth they add to a room. How do you accessorize them? There are countless options… Below we see a special project called the Zero Energy House. Note the streamlined look of the wooden bar, as well as the choice to pair it with white padded seats to create a contrast of dark and light. [from Levy Art & Architecture]

In the next featured image we see another wooden bar, this time paired with industrial stools. In fact, many a wooden bar or dining table is matched with metal seating. Not only is the juxtaposition of warm wood and cool metal quite interesting, the industrial look of metal chairs and stools creates an instant “vintage modern” effect. [Photo by Travis  Dubreuil via I-Beam Design]

Chunky is the word for this next featured space! The substantial wooden curves of the bar below have an unfinished feel, which truly stands out against the dark countertops. Overhead lighting adds drama. Natural meets modern in the most unexpected of ways… [from The Sky Is the Limit Design]

Don’t have a bar and not planning on remodeling anytime soon? Get the look with the Soda Fountain Barstool from Restoration Hardware, inspired by 19th-century soda fountain stools. Pair them with a wooden table, add some industrial pendant lighting overhead, and you’re set. Plus, these seats are nice and padded for a cushy touch!

Let’s hear it for the “dark meets light” vibe in the modern kitchen below! A gleaming bar top in a rich shade creates a wonderful contrast with white padded stools. Not only are they cushioned, there is plenty of back support. This minimalist space is visually striking without being cluttered! [from The Studio Resource Group]

Metal Kitchen Bars

Metal is sleek. It’s modern. It’s industrial. Let’s face it–metal is timeless! We love the look of the metal kitchen bar below, which is really a contemporary island with a sink. Two black and chrome stools complete the look and tie in this seating area with the rest of the kitchen. [from Gutman & Lehrer Architects]

Stainless steel is the perfect accompaniment to the bright blue cabinetry in the next featured kitchen. In fact, this “bar for one” proves that even the smallest of kitchens can revel in bar counter style! A leather stool adds warmth and interest to this creative space. [from Lonny]

Bright and Colorful Kitchen Bars

We now turn our attention to the light, bright and vivid. Let’s start with the crisp look of the modern bistro kitchen below, complete with a marble island that doubles as a bar. Earthy wooden stools make it clear that this bistro space is definitely of the contemporary variety. Note the industrial pendant lighting that hangs overhead. [from Lonny]

The modern Seattle loft kitchen below features metal pendant lighting and (once again) industrial bar stools. Yet these stools have a contemporary sculptural element that can’t be denied. Also, note how the wooden seats warm up the stark glare of the room, which is fabulously bright, by the way… [from Musa Design] 

Next we get a dose of taxi cab yellow with the sunny bar below. White is the perfect seating hue, as it emphasizes the crisp, citrus-y look of the space. And the dark wooden details are a wonderful contrast to the brighter elements, anchoring the space as a whole. [from Beckwith Interiors]

Orange is the color of choice in the next interior. Not only does the bar shine with a gleaming fiery hue, this color appears throughout the home. Note its presence in the dining room wall art, as well as the bold living room sofa. Black and chrome bar stools are an ideal accompaniment, as is golden pendant lighting that reinforces the warm glow of the room. [from Ana Williamson Architect]

We end with a striking space that combines white countertops with chocolate accents. And let’s not forget that irresistible gray shade of the walls! There’s just enough room for a two-chair bar that makes this kitchen a place for socializing while a meal is being prepared. Note the absence of clutter in this interior, a perfect choice for a room with a view! [from Home Decorating Ideas]

Do you have a kitchen bar in your home? How did you decorate the space? Tell us about your bar stools! Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below…